Which of the following is a consequence of having too many nutrients in a body of water?

The presence of too many nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, in a body of water leads to the phenomenon known as algal blooms. These blooms occur when nutrient levels become excessive, encouraging rapid growth of algae. While some algae are a natural part of aquatic ecosystems, an overload of nutrients can cause certain types of algae, including harmful species, to proliferate dramatically.

As these algae bloom, they can alter the water’s chemistry, decrease oxygen levels, and block sunlight from reaching other aquatic plants. This disruption can lead to significant ecological imbalances. Once the algae die off, their decomposition can further deplete oxygen levels in the water, resulting in dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. Therefore, algal blooms are a direct consequence of nutrient over-enrichment in aquatic ecosystems and indicate a problem with water quality and ecological health.